Who’s Next? UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping II

Who’s Next? UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping II

Dan Henderson: If Dan Henderson’s knockout victory over Hector Lombard is the last fight of his career, then there is no better way to ride off into the sunset (Other than maybe a rematch with Anderson Silva, that surely would pique his interest). He was never flashy, never really hyped, but while a lot of newer fans got to see the “Hendo” that was a coin flip to win or lose a fight, he may well have the most legendary resume of any MMA fighter ever. From Middleweight up to Heavyweight, he has fought and defeated a who’s who of legends and champions almost under the radar: Vitor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva, Rich Franklin, “Shogun” Rua, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Fedor Emelianenko, just to name a few. Thanks for the memories, Dan.

Michael Bisping vs. Yoel Romero: Talk about a feel-good story. After a decade of fighting in the UFC, coming up short numerous times right when the chance at gold was in his sight, stepping in on 17-days notice against an opponent that had already beaten him handily, Michael Bisping finally reached the mountaintop, with his early KO of Luke Rockhold. The only thing that could have made this more epic is if he decided to quote Nate Diaz, in saying “I’m not surprised, m———–!” There are quite a few options in what lies next for Mr. Bisping: He and Rockhold are 1-1 against each other, and trilogies are enticing. Then there’s Chris Weidman, but with his injury, who knows how long he will be out, same with “Jacare” Souza, although his injury is nowhere near as severe. Then there’s Yoel Romero. His suspension will be up soon, as far as we know he’s uninjured and ready to go, and controversial or not, he does have a win over Souza. The guy has earned a shot with his wins, let him have it.

Dominick Cruz vs. Demetrious Johnson: Though this fight probably won’t happen right now, it would be amazing if it did. Cruz looked on another level against Uriah Faber. While a rematch with T.J. Dillashaw, should he beat Raphael Assuncao, also looks good, Having two champions and potentially pound-for-pound all-time greats, in their primes in a super fight. Yes, please. Although they have fought before, in which Cruz won, that was Demetrious “I have a full-time job” Johnson, not the “Mighty Mouse” that we have seen in the years since.

Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira: This kid needs a title shot. Many people talk about fighters constantly improving, and maybe they do but never has it ever looked so blatantly evident than with Max Holloway. He is like a character in a videogame and we are watching him level up with each fight. Ricardo Lamas is no joke, and for the majority of their fight, Holloway had him looking almost amateurish. If not for the Conor McGregor-Nate Dias situation, he probably would have been fighting Jose Aldo for number one contendership at one of this summer’s events, alas here is the dilemma: On one hand he is young, so he could sit back, keep training and improving and let the McGregor-Aldo-Edgar dust settle without losing much. Rankings-wise, a fight with Chad Mendes makes some sense, but pairing one fighter on a 9-fight win streak against another that has been KO’ed in his last two is a hard sell. Which leads to a Holloway-Charles Oliveira rematch. Although Holloway already has the win over “do Bronx”, the odd nature at which it happened (Oliveira tearing his esophagus) doesn’t make this fight sound like nonsense.

UFC Announces Liverpool Event, Darren Till Main Event

Scousers are drowning in celebration this evening. Earlier today, UFC officials announced the addition of a Liverpool show to their 2018 event calendar. Liverpool’s, Echo Arena, plays host for the event, which takes place on May 27th.

Liverpool’s own, Darren Till made the announcement this afternoon with Dan Hardy at the UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov, ceremonial weigh-in. When asked by Hardy what it means to have the UFC in Liverpool, he had this to day, “Words can’t describe it. It doesn’t do it justice, words. So, it’s coming and I’m going to be the first Scousers to ever have done it. In 200 years they’re going to remember my name in combat sports in Liverpool. I’m gonna take someones chin off in Liverpool, that’s what’s happening”.

He was also quoted in an release from the promotion saying, “I can’t believe UFC is finally coming to Liverpool and I’m going to be headlining Echo Arena. My name is going to be remembered in 200 years time for being part of this historical event and I can’t even describe how much that means to me”. Till will headline the card, his opponent is yet to be announced.

In the official release, it quotes David Shaw, Senior Vice President International and Content, claiming, “The stars really aligned for the Octagon to touch down in Liverpool. We have seen such phenomenal demand from fans in the region for a live event. Pair that with having such a rising, local star in Darren Till it made absolute sense to bring our first live event to this historical combat sports city in 2018”.

UFC Liverpool lands on a date speculated for a different venue, in a different country. Reports swirled last month, specifically one from MMAFighting.com, which claimed the May 27th date belonged to the UFCs return to Dublin. A return to Dublin doesn’t seem to fall completely out of the realm of possibility. For now, it remains to be seen.

The UFC also announced two bouts, both in the Middleweight division, booked for the event. Elias Therodorou takes on Trevor Smith, and Daniel Kelly goes up against England’s Tom Breese.

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Marco Reyes Flagged for Potential Anti-Doping Policy Violation

Earlier today, UFC officials announced that Lightweight, Marco Reyes was flagged for a potential UFC Anti-Doping Policy violation. The potential violation hails from a sample collected on March 8th, 2018, in an out-of-competition test.

Reyes made his way into the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter Latin America, season 2. Competing in the lightweight bracket, Reyes defeated Christhian Soto by 2nd rd. TKO of a preliminary round bout. He then went onto to face Horacio Gutiérrez, in the semifinals of the tournament. Gutiérrez defeated Reyes in the opening round by TKO.

Following his elimination from the tournament, the Mexican fighter met Cezar Arzamendia on the series finale, The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale. Reyes impressively defeated Arzamendia, whom was the first overall pick for Team Gastelum, by 1st round KO.

From there, Reyes defeated Dong Hung Kim (rd. 1, KO), and Jason Novelli (Split Decision) respectively, before falling to rising contender James Vick. Most recently, the Lightweight fighter dispatched Matt Frevola in the opening round, ruining the Long Islanders promotional debut. His bout against Frevola took place at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi, on January 14th of this year.

The UFC statement on the matter reads as follows:

The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Marco Reyes of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on March 8, 2018.

USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Reyes. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.

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Dillon Danis to make Pro debut against Kyle Walker at Bellator 198

Mixed Martial Arts officially adopted another incredibly talented jiu-jitsu practioner today. Bellator officials announced today the long-awaited debut of Dillon Danis, whom the promotion had signed in the year previous. After zero amateur and countless jiu-jitsu matches, Danis makes his debut at Bellator 198: Mir vs. Emelianenko, against Kyle Walker.

Kyle Walker enters the match up also making his Bellator debut. Walker recently made a resurgence in 2016 after taking off, almost exactly, 3 years. Since returning to the professional scene his record is 0-3, losing each fight by stoppage (2 Sub, 1 KO).

Walker looks to snap his streak yet, his opponent could provide a major challenge. In terms of advantages for Walker, he has a massive and obvious one. His experience. Walkers opponent fights for the first time in the sport of MMA. While Danis competed in many top-level jiu-jitsu tournaments and matches, comparing the competition would stop and end upon examining the rule sets. It is quite obvious, the difference. Danis will have a bit of adversity to overcome, in that respect.

In spite of this, Danis’ team, he trains out of the highly regarded SBG Ireland. Even before his MMA training, he trained under Marcelo Garcia. He earned his black belt in April of 2015, following an incredible 2014. In that year, Danis became UAEJJF World Champion, winning gold in the 82 kg (181 lb.) Brown belt category.

The prospect of what that could look like inside the cage is exciting. He may have developed some striking techniques but, the lack of time dedicated to that training in undeniable. Experience and time is required to develop skills of any kind.

Bellator 198: Mir vs. Emelianenko, takes place on Saturday, April 28th from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Bellator 198 features the third of four preliminary bouts in the promotions Heavyweight Grand Prix, Fedor Emelianenko takes on Frank Mir. It serves as the nights main event. Other bouts on the card feature; Emmanuel Sanchez against Sam Sicilia, Neiman Gracie faces Javier Torres, Rafael Lavato Jr. vs. John Salter, and more.